This blog is meant to display my coins/currency notes/stamps, in an informative manner, which would be useful to users in knowing about the history of the period when these coins/banknotes/stamps were minted/printed and events/persons they honour/depict, both on Indian and foreign coins/banknotes/stamps. The content would be more in the nature of a walk down memory lane through my collection/articles.

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Sunday, 1 May 2016

302) Govardhanram Tripathi: Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out in the denomination of Rs.5/- by the Department of Posts, India on 27.04.2016:

302)
Govardhanram Tripathi: Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out in the denomination
of Rs.5/- by the Department of Posts, India on 27.04.2016:

About
Govardhan Madhavram Tripathi (20.10.1855 – 04.01.1907):

Born on 20.10.1855,
at Nadiad, Gujarat, he was a renowned novelist of the late 19th
and early 20th Centuries. Most
of his writings were in Gujarati and a few in English.

Early
life and Career as a Lawyer:

He regarded his childhood
years and the first few years as the happiest period of his life.

In 1875, he
finished his graduation and completed his studies in Law, passing his L.L.B.
course in 1883, despite his poor health and financial straits.

In June 1884, he
started practice as a lawyer in the Bombay (present day Mumbai) High Court. He
had a good practice, despite his refusing to take up lucrative assignments
offered to him as a matter of principle.

During
this period, being of a literary bent of mind, he did an incredibly large
amount of literary work of the highest merit and quality.

Some
of his works:

He is known for his four
volume novel, “Saraswatichandra”,
which has the distinction of being one of the most widely read books of all
time in Gujarati Literature.

“Saraswatichandra – Part I” was published in 1887, followed
by “Snehamudra” (meaning “the Signet
of Love”), a collection of poems in 1889.

“Saraswatichandra – Part II” was published in 1892 and became
immensely popular. “Saraswatichandra –
Part III and Part IV” were published in 1898 and 1901
respectively. The wide acclaim with which these volumes were received with was
most unusual and unparalleled in Gujarati literature.

Early
Retirement, but continuous contribution
to Gujarati literature (“Govardhan Yug” or “Govardhan Era”) and Public Service:

Govardhan Tripathi retired
early at the age of 43, returning to his hometown, but he continued to contribute
to Gujarati Literature and Public Service.

During 1902, he
took up an active role in the Indian National Congress (INC).

In 1905, he was elected as
the First President of the “Gujarati Sahitya
Parishad” (translated as “Gujarati Literary Council”). He also
wrote various articles and essays in the papers “Vasant” and “Samalochak”
which were published as books later on. Fluent in English, he wrote “Scrap Book”
in English. Some of his other works include “Leelavati Jeevankala”, “Saakshar
Jeevan”, “Navalram Nu Kavi Jeevan”,
“Dayaram No Akshardeh” and “Sadavastu Vichar”.

The period from 1885 to
1915, is called “Govardhan-Yug”
or “Govardhan Era” in Gujarati literature.
He passed away at Mumbai on 04.01.1907, leaving behind him a huge void in
Gujarati Literature.

Commemorative
stamps issued by the Department of Posts, India on 27.04.2016 in the denomination
of Rs.5/- (Rupees Five) honouring Govardhan Tripathi:

The above is an image of
the first day Cover issued on the occasion of honouring Govardhanram Tripathi.
The Rs. Five stamp is cancelled with the Cancellation stamp of New delhi GPO
and is titled “GOVARDHANRAM TRIPATHI” (both in Hindi and English). The
Cancellation stamp shows an inkpot with a quill and five books (symbolising the
writer’s “tools” and his “output”). The date of cancellation is “27.04.2016”.

A Full Sheet of stamps
containing 45 stamps on Goverdhan Tripathi, each of Rs.5/- denomination.

An individual Rs.5/- stamp on
Govardhan Tripathi spelling out his name in Hindi, English and Gujarati.

The above is an image of the Information Brochure issued on Govardhan Tripathi and the Commemorative stamp

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .